Red Sox Make Jackie Bradley Jr. Available In Trade Talks

The Red Sox are advising rival organizations that they’ll consider dealing away center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr., according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter). That stance, he notes, is tied to the team’s efforts to add a power bat — presumably, one that would occupy a corner outfield spot and bump Andrew Benintendi into center.

Several teams have been circling Bradley early in the offseason, though there had been no clear indication that Boston would offer him up. A move involving Bradley — whether or not directly tied to the acquisition of a new bat — has always seemed connected to any effort to add pop to the Boston outfield. Of course, there’s also room to add at first base, so there were and likely still are scenarios where Bradley stays right where he is.

Certainly, retaining the quality all-around performer would hardly be a poor option for the Red Sox. The 27-year-old took a step back at the plate last year, but still hit 17 home runs and landed within range of overall league-average production with the bat. Plus, he’s a highly regarded performer on the bases and in the field, so he graded out as a quality regular even despite falling well shy of his 2016 offensive output — a .267/.349/.486 breakout that leaves traces of a tantalizing ceiling.

For the Red Sox to part with Bradley, they’d surely need to be zeroing in on a major addition. And they’d likely also need to receive some real value in return. Bradley is still controllable for three more seasons via arbitration and is projected by MLBTR to earn a manageable $5.9MM for 2018. While his Super Two status gave him a high floor to build off of, he’s still a potential bargain given his track record of overall performance in recent seasons.

Comments

Could possibly see it if the White Sox thought he could bounce back closer to his 16 numbers and have flip him at the deadline. But yeah, if their plan was to hold onto him, it wouldn’t really make sense.

And here comes the White With the ridiculous trade proposals cmon man that is just a silly trade proposal. Once again DD would laugh so hard and tell Hahn please never call him again that’s how bad the above trade proposal is. That’s almost as bad as Benny plus Abreu. I also think that Boston and the ChiSox don’t fit but this trade proposal is asinine.

I mean it all depends. If JBJ reaches his ceiling or even matches his 2016 breakout numbers the deal makes perfect sense. Given the money owed to Abreu over the next few years it would serve as a bit of a salary dump as well as give them an equally valuable trade asset if JBJ performs. And one would assume the Red Sox would have to send a prospect or 2 as well. So it would really be a salary dump for a valuable asset and some more pieces to stock the farm. Also Bradley is only 27. He is still plenty young to be part of the next generation of White Sox representing a veteran presence for the younger guys in 2-3 years if they hold on to him.

What it really comes down to is how you value Bradley. Is he an all-star? Or is he a solid roleplayer. If you believe 2016 is repeatable or improvable, this is a fair conversation. If you think he’s a defensive specialist and 2015 and 2017 are more in line with his standard output then yes this conversation makes no sense.

If teams were willing to empty the farm for Abreu he would be gone already. Sometimes you need to take the best offer and make sure you get something.

It will take a lot more than that to get Abreu for any team not just the Red Sox. He is worth a lot more to the White Sox than what his numbers show. They have a young team and he provides the veteran leadership. Not to mention he is a big reason why they got Robert and is basically the mentor to Moncada.

JBJ has above average tools in every area. Abreu can hit better sure, but JbJ is one of the best defenders in baseball and a really good base runner. JBj hits well for a centerfielder. Meanwhile Abreu won’t produce much more than Carlos Santana on the open market

One year is how my 3 year old likes her samples too, Mike. For gits and shiggles… how did it play out the previous years? 119 & 123. Steamer projection for 2018? 104 and a WAR of 3.2. How about Abreu? Steamer projects a 129 wRC+ with a WHOPPING WAR of 2.8. How is that possible?

Well if you look at the forecasting models on Fangraphs Depth Charts and Steamer have JBJ both at higher WAR next year then Abreu. I don’t know what that is worth but there values are a lot closer in terms a pure value then White Sox fans seem to think.

White Sox can do better than Jackie Bradley in a trade…has nothing to do with WAR value. WAR also has to taken in consideration of team construct…teams are often getting plus WAR anyway defensively in CF…so subtract that from Bradley WAR. Im not arguing Bradley has no value….Im just arguing its not just math. Abreu has offensive WAR coming in key game situations…

And all I’m saying is that WAR isn’t necessarily correct in assessing value in a team construct. I can think of other reasons a deal for Abreu doesn’t happen…but Jackie Bradley is not Jose Abreu in any sense outside of the fact that he plays a more primary defensive position. The White Sox could acquire Bradley’s defensive WAR equivalent and deal Abreu for a better package.

Yeah it’s a preemptive strike. I can see this leading to Martinez and Hosmer signings. they can’t sign JD right now as they’d have to dh him and I think they really want to add Hosmer tonset the table for a power bat. moving JBJ allows them to sign both and play Martinez in left and move Hanley to dh.

Ah no you are wrong and it’s really not even close anymore. Betts is the far superior defender in right, in fact, I think he more defensive runs saved then any outfielder in baseball the question isn’t if he is the best right fielder defensively it’s if he is the best defensive outfielder in the game.

The only trade that would justify parting with JBJ is the one the Yankees just pulled off. There are no other bats available on the trade market that justify losing his defense and breaking up the Killer B’s.

As much as it would be a major dice roll, I think the best move DD can make is opening the wallet for Martinez and Hosmer. It solves the problems we have without pulling from a place of strength.

This guy should have gotten better last year, not worse. No way i can think of to explain it (except injury?) The Red Sox know this and are willing to part with him. You have already pretty much seen his ceiling.

His name is so close to Jackie Robinson Jr’s that people equate him to potentially reaching that skill level…he will not.

You think people confuse him with Jackie Robinson because they have the same initials? That, is laughable, and rather short sided. Baseball is a game of adjustments, more than any other sport. He needs to learn to adapt and assistance finding the holes in his game the can be exploited.

What in the heck are you talking about? Man I see some posts with some implied racial overtones especially involving asian players…but this is a doozy. You’re saying people overrate Bradley because his name is Jackie??? My gosh….if theres any overrating that goes on its the typical type that occurs with players in larger markets. Interesting theory….Ill put it in the “Oh Korean player A will want to play on Team A because Japanese player B is on that team”. Talk about objectification.

Ok….so its because his name is similar? You believe people expecting him to be Jackie Robinson because he has the same first name? What people? That’s like saying people had too high of expectations of Kurt Suzuki because he had the same last name as Ichiro Suzuki. I wonder if Bob Gibson had to overcome the Bob Feller comparisons. I remember when Giancarlo Stanton was Mike Stanton….maybe he just got tired of the constant comps to the former Braves reliever Mike Stanton.

JBJ has better numbers than Ryan Braun the last two years along with high level fielding.
To make him available is fine but don’t give him away. He is coming into his own–he could solidify an outfield for a competitive team.
To me make Xander available and sign Cozart. It will be an interesting week in Orlando.

if the Mariners could get the Sox to take on most of canos contract for jbj then they could move Dee Gordon from center to 2b and put jbj out there in CF. Boston would have the power in the middle of their lineup they want and could put cano at 1b, something that has at least been mentioned in Seattle. then Seattle could go get some much need SP.

Ummmm Abreu has been in the top 21 MVP votes 3 of the 4 years he has been in the MLB, including number 4 his rookie season. I get Benintendi has only one full season, but he was not in the top 25 for voting last year. I agree the above swap is ridiculous and should never be done by the Red Sox, but look at the players before you comment.

Abreu has been an all star once and has only received serious consideration for MVP once. Let’s not pretend we’re talking about Joey Votto. Think from the other direction, would you be willing to give up a 22 year old coming off his first full season as a ROY runner up for an above average first baseman? Let’s add in the variable that another first baseman with equal WAR last year is on the market.

I’m not saying the White Sox should take the for Bradley, but they’d have to be kidding themselves if they think Benintendi is worth the deal for the Red Sox.

As I said in an earlier post, Abreu has more value to the White Sox than his numbers. So yes the trade of Abreu for Benny straight up would be complete ridiculous, that is the value that Abreu has for the White Sox due to all the off field benefits he provides to the team.

Any team trading for him will have to severely overpay as long as Hahn sticks to what he says.

Any off field benefits should have no effect on how the Red Sox move. Trading Benintendi makes no sense for the Red Sox, trading JBJ makes no sense for the White Sox. Therefore, bad trade no matter what.

I really feel bad for Baltimore fans. All they ever need is an ace and a decent #2 starter every. freaking. year. Their owner shoud be charged with human rights violations for causing undue suffering to hundreds of Orioles fans. ;)

Our owner will always hold us back. Peter Angelos is in his 80s and when he dies nothing will change unless he sells out of the family. But I definitely agree with you. We consistently have terrible starting pitchers with a deadly lineup. Just doesn’t workout, man. Makes me wanna drink a beer.

I know you Boston honks think Bradley Jr is worth something but he’s really not.There are many guys on Triple A rosters that are defensive with potential with a bat.He hit
.267 on his best year and had 17 bombs playing half his games that bandbox that is Fenway . That place was built when a big guy was 6ft tall.His skills don’t transfer well to most teams.Im sure KC or maybe the Giants might be interested, but if you built your team well, this guy is a fourth outfielder.

I love how you start your response by attacking all Boston fans then make an opinion that I’m guessing you think isn’t biased.

First off, why do people keep assuming Fenway is a home run park. It’s not. The Monster makes it a doubles park, big difference. Bradley didn’t have a great year at the plate this year and was as his usual streaky. But he managed a 2.3 WAR (fangraphs) which made him #29 among regular OF. So average. But his value lies in his glove, not his bat. Considering the range I’ve seen him cover I’d say he’s worth far more than just a 4th outfielder. If you built your team getting power elsewhere, I’d say he’s exactly the defensive player I wouldn’t mind seeing batting in the bottom third of the order.

I see the Royals being in on him. Resign Moose, sign Logan Morrison, add JBJ…thats probably a better team than they put out there already. Im guessing the Sox are probably one of the few teams that wouldn’t be interesting in Danny Duffy.

All well and good, but players like him have little trade value. They don’t command premium contracts in the free agent market either. There are tons of guys like JBJ who can track a flyball in centerfield—very few of them hit or produce runs.

Another dolt who thinks just because fenway has small dimensions that means it’s a bandbox. The only place fenway was well above average for LHB was doubles last year. Everywhere else it was just above league average or below average

“That stance, he notes, is tied to the team’s efforts to add a power bat — presumably, one that would occupy a corner outfield spot and bump Andrew Benintendi into center” Why would a team trade a power bat/outfielder to get Jackie Bradley, it doesn’t make sense.

Votto wouldnt even accept a trade to his hometown of Toronto when the Jays looked like a serious WS contender. Nope…Votto will continue to hold up the Reds. His contract isnt insane..but its not great for them…that or the Homer Bailey deal. Boy pitchers make out like bandits. Id build a staff of controlled arms all day and night.

Schwarber is no longer worth what he was 2 years ago. He couldn’t even hit a baseball last season and already has some serious injuries. Sure there’s plenty of time for him to bounce back. But his value isn’t that of the guy that went down with injury or returned and made the postseason look easy. He also is 1 dimensional. I’d cut my left thumb off if we traded JBJ for him. Not sure if I said that 2-3 years ago. But I’m firm on it now.

Trading Jackie Bradley is a fantastic idea. I can’t stand watching this guy (try to) hit – infuriating. It’s like watching Dice K pitch, just leaves one tired. I don’t care how good his glove is in CF, I question Bradley’s integrity after he, too, ambushed Eckersley the way he did – that should never happen.

I think he’s traded to make room on the roster and to add prospects and/or a utility player. I don’t think we match up on an Abreu Trade..I love some of these trade scenarios…about 1 in 20 is worth even pausing to consider. Good thing fan bases don’t negotiate trades or I don’t think any player would ever be traded again.

Either way, I hate to lose Bradley, but he seems to make sense as the one that we would need to move in order to add a bat. I also think the dip in offensive performance last year makes him more affordable than he probably should be.

I would keep JBJ.. Great CF. Saves you many runs with his fielding and is a reasonably good hitter.
I would pick up Hosmer (1st Choice for 1B)..
IIf I get Hosmer I would try and trade Hanley Ramirez or let him got after 2018
I would DH Pedroia.
I would resign Eduardo Nunez and use him at 2B.
I would pick up Jake McGee. (RP)
I would pick up Lance Lynn (SP).
.

I like the trade proposed by Damon 389 that would move JBJ for Khris Davis as the centerpieces.s. Beane is a Swihart fan, I believe if you add Chavis and Groome and we get Davis and Semien.
Davis has a higher BA than the former A’s, Chris Carter, but his 195 K’s in 2017 would be tough for Boston Fans to accept. They would love his 40 plus dingers and 100 plus RBI.
Davis, I believe, will be paid $11 M in 2018.
Perhaps follow up that trade with Matt Harvey and a good prospect for Xander. Then sign Cozart.

Interesting… Agree w/your comment re Swihart, although I don’t see why Oakland would want Chavis considering Chapman. Also, not sure the A’s would want to trade Semien. His defensive play has improved dramatically from disastrous to league average and I don’t think that Mateo or Barreto are ready. However, Jed Lowrie is another option.

Davis should play 90% of the time, but he’d absolutely mash in Boston. A’s are pushing defense and athleticism. Also, catching is a mess. Maxwell issues are well-documented, and Phegley and Garneau are PTPs at best.

Avisail Garcia had by far the highest babip in baseball. He is such a regression candidate it’s not even funny his batted ball profile says he didn’t of hit the ball much harder then JBJ there is nothing to suggest anything but a large regression next year unless you count on a .392 babip again. When you take into account the defense it’s not even close Avisail was very lucky last year.

I don’t think the Red Sox are trading JBJ unless they are signing JDM or trading for another outfielder. There is no way they are going to go into the season with Bryce Brent’s or Rusney Castillo as there starting left fielder. My guess is if JBJ is traded or will be after they have JDM or he is traded I. A larger package for Someone like Ozuna.

Fangraphs has an interesting article up about a JBJ and Abreu trade. You White Sox fans should read it Spells out why the Red Sox shouldn’t even trade JBJ straight up for Abreu. It’s an interesting read.

No it’s about overall value read the article if you are going to comment on it. I’m not saying that the White Sox should trade for JBJ but if they were in the market for him it would be an even up trade and the reality is they are very close in value. I realize that the White Sox might find a better deal somewhere else but saying that Abreu is way more valuable is just stupid.

JBJ’s defense adds a ton of value, no doubt about that. Although, that’s not the attention grabbing type of player most fans are wanting for their teams.

Kind of like a fullback or lineman in football. Good ones add a ton to the team but the QB and RB get all the buzz.

As a White Sox fan, I would rather have Abreu at first and “can’t hit a lick” DEFENSIVE wiz Adam Engel in the OF. Engel can make some highlight plays out there. PS…..I would give my right arm if Hahn promises to start ANYONE other than Engel in CF. I can’t stand watching automatic outs every time in the lineup. This is how I feel about Bradley also. PASS! Most every team has someone “capable” of turning into what Bradley is now. He has more upside but its looking less likely that he will reach it.

I understand your point I’m not saying that the White Sox need to trade for JBJ I’m just saying if the White Sox had the need for center fielder then this would be a one for one based on value. I realize that the Red Sox and White Sox don’t match up real well. Some of these trade proposals of JBJ and Groome plus are just ridiculous. I’m pretty sure DD kicked the the tires and Hahn probably told him it would take a lot more then you would be willing to trade.

Bruin, you’re delusional. If Abreu played for Boston, you guys wouldn’t even think of trading him away, especially for JBJ. You guys always overestimate your players and downplay players on other teams. We heard the same crap from you guys about Sale. In hindsight, turns out Sale is worth way more than what you gave us for him.

You are the delusional one so the two Sox don’t match up well in this one. Still doesn’t change the fact that they are similar value period. Whether you want to believe that or not is absolutely irrelevant it’s a fact. Fangraphs has JBJ worth slightly more over the last three years and baseball reference has Abreu worth slightly more factor in the likely arb amounts and they are very close in value straight up. This is a just fact if you can’t see that well then you are the delusional one. As for the Sale trade only and idiot would pass judgement on that trade so early. Moncada looks pretty damn good and Kopech could be an ace so why don’t you wait to pass judgement on that trade. Why don’t you ask some of your knowledgeable fans if they think the White Sox got a bad deal in the Sale trade. Hey Priggs what do you think? Did the White Sox get a bad deal on the Sale trade?